{{short description|American internet personality and actor (born 1985)}} {{multiple issues| {{BLP primary sources|date=February 2022}} {{unreliable sources|date=February 2022}} }} {{use American English|date=August 2016}} {{use mdy dates|date=August 2016}} {{Infobox social media personality | name = Toby Turner | image = Toby Turner (14331248029) (cropped).jpg | caption = Turner at VidCon 2014 | birth_name = Tobias Joseph Turner | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|3|3}} | birth_place = Mississippi, U.S. | occupation = {{flatlist| * YouTuber * actor * comedian * musician }} | education = {{flatlist| * Niceville High School * University of Florida }} | pseudonym = {{hlist|Tobuscus|TobyGames}} | youtube_handle = Tobuscus | youtube_handle2 = TobyGames | youtube_handle3 = TobyTurner | youtube_years_active = 2006–present | youtube_genre = {{flatlist| * Comedy * popular culture * vlogging * let's play * animation * music }} | youtube_subscribers = 6.07 million (Tobuscus)<br/>6.09 million (TobyGames)<br/>1.75 million (TobyTurner) | youtube_views = 1.5 billion (Tobuscus)<br/>2.06 billion (TobyGames)<br/>380 million (TobyTurner) | stats_update = May 30, 2026 | website = <!-- {{URL|tobyturner.com}} (inactive) --> }} '''Tobias Joseph Turner''' (born March 3, 1985), also known by his stage name '''Tobuscus''', is an American Internet personality, actor, and musician. He is best known for his YouTube videos including vlogs, Let's Plays and music. {{As of|2026|05}}, Turner has a total of nearly 14 million subscribers and over 3.94 billion video views over his three YouTube channels.<ref name="tobuscus">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/Tobuscus/about |title=Tobuscus |publisher=YouTube |access-date=August 26, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="tobyturner">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/TobyTurner/about |title=TobyTurner |publisher=YouTube |access-date=August 26, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="tobygames">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/TobyGames/about |title=TobyGames |publisher=YouTube |access-date=August 26, 2015 }}</ref> Turner's career has seen him work together with multiple YouTube personalities on different projects.
==Early life== Tobias Joseph Turner was born on March 3, 1985, in Mississippi,<ref>https://blog.shortyawards.com/post/127181038247/youtuber-comedian-actor-toby-turner-joins-the/amp</ref> and grew up in Niceville, Florida.<ref name="vidcon">{{cite web |url=http://vidcon.com/2013/toby-turner |title=Toby Turner |publisher=VidCon |date=September 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809101859/http://vidcon.com/2013/toby-turner |archive-date=2013-08-09 }}</ref> He graduated from Niceville High School, where he attended school with former Congressman Matt Gaetz<ref>{{Cite tweet | user=tobyturner | number=1854096062652281010 | title=congrats matt gaetz my highschool classmate and fearless badass}}{{Self-published inline | certain=yes | date=August 2025}}</ref> and attended the University of Florida, and having an interest in filmmaking, graduated with a degree in telecommunication production.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_9632146a-9e4b-11e1-8ea1-0019bb2963f4.html |title=UF grad gains popularity on YouTube |author=Shelby Webb |newspaper=The Independent Florida Alligator |date=May 15, 2012 |access-date=February 21, 2013 }}</ref> In a November 2011 vlog, Turner revealed that the name Tobuscus was given to him by one of his high school friends while performing in a play together.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eotoz3mY4DE|title=WHERE TOBUSCUS CAME FROM?!|website=YouTube|publisher=TobyTurner|date=November 27, 2011|access-date=July 2, 2025}}</ref> Turner's mother later took out a loan and bought him a video camera, an act he appreciated, as it helped begin his YouTube career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Toby Turner Crying (FULL CLIP)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=379iIrd3vh8|website=YouTube| date=March 9, 2012 |access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref>
==Career== ===YouTube=== ====Main channel==== Turner first joined YouTube on May 14, 2006, when he created a channel under the name of "Tobuscus".<ref name="tobuscus"/> The first video that remains on the channel is a sketch based on the 2006 film ''Click''.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5gp6SGWhWY|title=What I'd do with the remote from Click...|publisher=YouTube|work=Tobuscus|date=June 23, 2006|access-date=April 12, 2016}}</ref> One of Turner's earliest popular videos is "Don't Tase Me, Bro!", a remixed recording of the University of Florida Taser incident in which his classmate Andrew Meyer was stunned with a taser gun by a police officer.<ref name="Montgomery2007">{{cite news|last=Montgomery|first=James|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1570330/dont-remix-me-bro.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228194217/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1570330/dont-remix-me-bro.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 28, 2011 |title='Don't Tase Me, Bro!': Remix, T-Shirts Help Tasered Kerry-Speech Agitator|publisher=MTV|date=September 21, 2007|access-date=February 20, 2013}}</ref> Interviewed about the video by MTV, Turner explained that, after watching the clip, "as soon as [he] heard [Andrew] yelling, [he] knew it would fit in a hip-hop song", and that he "wanted to give [Andrew] the profits" from sales of related merchandise.<ref name="Montgomery2007"/> The Tobuscus channel has since continued to focus on comedic skits and animated sketches, achieving recognition for those such as RIAA Gold certified "I Can Swing My Sword",<ref>{{cite web|title=I CAN SWING MY SWORD! - Minecraft Song|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN7dYDYfvVg|website=YouTube| date=April 12, 2012 |access-date=24 January 2018}}</ref> "Safety Torch"<ref>{{cite web|title=SAFETY TORCH!! - Official Animated Music Video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upxzaVMhw8k|website=YouTube| date=November 25, 2011 |access-date=24 January 2018}}</ref> and "Nugget In A Biscuit".<ref>{{cite web|title=NUGGET in a BISCUIT!!|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmdc9RIhmOI|website=YouTube| date=September 28, 2011 |access-date=24 January 2018}}</ref> Turner's ''Literal Trailers'' series is also one of his most popular, earning him mainstream recognition from ''CBS News'', who described his rendition of the ''Dead Island'' trailer as "amazing" and "hilarious",<ref>{{cite web|last=Goodman|first=Will|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/literal-dead-island-trailer-this-time-with-singing-lols-video/|title=Literal "Dead Island" trailer: This time with singing & LOLs (Video)|publisher=CBS News|date=February 23, 2011 |access-date=February 20, 2013}}</ref> and ''Wired'', who praised Turner's ''Literal Trailer'' of ''Iron Man 3''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Wallace|first=Lewis|url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2012/11/literal-iron-man-3-trailer/ |title=Literal Iron Man 3 Trailer Makes Fun of Tony Stark's Woes |magazine=Wired |date=November 9, 2012 |access-date=February 20, 2013 }}</ref>
====Vlogging and gaming channels==== In April 2009, Turner began using his "TobyTurner" channel to upload daily unedited vlogs detailing his personal life, which he dubbed "lazy vlogs."<ref>{{cite web|title=TobyTurner|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/TobyTurner|website=YouTube|access-date=18 January 2018}}</ref> In July 2010, Turner registered his fourth (third in use) YouTube channel under the name "TobyGames",<ref name="tobygames"/> designating it for a new series of comedic Let's Play videos. The channel has featured playthrough videos of numerous indie and AAA games since its inception, including the long-running ''Minecraft'' and ''Happy Wheels'' series.
====Collaborations==== In addition to producing his own original content over three channels, Turner has worked together with a wide range of other YouTube personalities on various projects. In 2009, he performed a guitar collaboration with Joe Penna (MysteryGuitarMan) using two separate videos played simultaneously;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tobyturner.com/blog/post/39 |title=Guitar: Double Battle! |publisher=Toby Turner |access-date=February 20, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4cVkY4gHFc |title=Guitar: Double Battle |work=MysteryGuitarMan |publisher=YouTube |date=March 10, 2009 |access-date=February 20, 2013 }}</ref> in 2010 he made an appearance on the fifth episode of ''Annoying Orange'', titled "A Cheesy Episode";<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEH3u2Qz4fc |title=Annoying Orange: A Cheesy Episode |work=Annoying Orange |publisher=YouTube |date=March 5, 2010 |access-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref> in early 2011 he worked with iJustine on a number of ''LittleBigPlanet 2'' Let's Play videos;<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tq7pc8Mvqk |title=Slapping Sacks! Little Big Planet 2 – Episode 3 (feat. Tobuscus) |work=iJustine's gaming channel! |publisher=YouTube |date=February 20, 2011 |access-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref> since 2011 he has worked on many projects with Jack Douglass, including parody "Tobjackscus",<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXUbLoNOqqY |title=Tobjackscus (Tobuscus Parody) |work=Jacksfilms |publisher=YouTube |date=May 9, 2011 |access-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref> sketch "Dubstep Tobuscus",<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmnsNs5nMo4 |title=Dubstep Tobuscus |work=Jacksfilms |publisher=YouTube |date=August 22, 2011 |access-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref> and music videos "Take Off Your Clothes (Like Scarlett Johansson)",<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF7xZdE9YrY |title=Take Off Your Clothes (Like Scarlett Johansson) |work=Jacksfilms |publisher=YouTube |date=September 26, 2011 |access-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref> "Razors in Your Apple (On Halloween)",<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5hgsE3mBBQ |title=Razors in Your Apple (On Halloween) |work=Jacksfilms |publisher=YouTube |date=October 28, 2011 |access-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref> and "The Valentine's Day Song";<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXtXHkgalwM |title=The Valentines Day Song |work=Jacksfilms |publisher=YouTube |date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref> and in 2012 he starred in a short with Olga Kay entitled ''Olga Kay Goes Haywire''.,<ref>{{Citation |title=Olga Kay goes HAYWIRE | date=January 13, 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuR0V-jn_Ok |access-date=2023-06-01 |language=en}}</ref> as well as starring in an episode of the YouTube series, "Retarded Policeman".<ref>{{cite web|title=FART with Toby Turner - Retarded Policeman #34|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xORLNH2BR1U|website=YouTube|access-date=24 January 2018}}</ref> Tobuscus has also appeared alongside notable celebrities on several occasions, including the music video for the song "Whistle While I Work It", featuring Chester See and Wayne Brady,<ref>{{cite web|title=WHISTLE WHILE I WORK IT (Chester See feat. Toby Turner with Wayne Brady)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmxUMcqGGTw|website=YouTube| date=July 25, 2013 |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref> as well as starring in a three-parter YouTube series "Terminator Genisys: The YouTube Chronicles" to promote the film ''Terminator Genisys''. A range of well-known personalities were involved in the series, including Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, and YouTube stars such as Lilly Singh, Olga Kay, Sean Klitzner, Epic Lloyd, The Warp Zone, and Kevin Lieber.<ref>{{cite web|title=Terminator Genisys: The YouTube Chronicles Part 1|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh0d3FZvcmM|website=YouTube|access-date=June 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=TERMINATOR GENISYS- Youtube Chronicles Part 2|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mxRZqW7ipI|website=YouTube| date=June 22, 2015 |access-date=June 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Terminator Genisys: The YouTube Chronicles Part 3|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsb-8fsQ04U|website=YouTube| date=June 22, 2015 |access-date=June 22, 2015}}</ref>
From 2010 to 2012, Turner presented a web series called ''CuteWinFail'', created by Turner and co-produced with YouTuber Philip DeFranco and his production company FishBowl Worldwide Media.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://gigaom.com/2010/10/01/vin-di-bona-phil-defranco-toby-turner-team-for-cutewinfail/ |title=Vin di Bona, Phil DeFranco, Toby Turner Team for CuteWinFail |author=Liz Shannon Miller |publisher=Gigaom |date=October 1, 2010 |access-date=February 20, 2013 |archive-date=February 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222025530/http://gigaom.com/2010/10/01/vin-di-bona-phil-defranco-toby-turner-team-for-cutewinfail/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Menegus2016">{{cite web|last=Menegus|first=Bryan|url=https://gizmodo.com/another-prominent-youtuber-has-been-accused-of-rape-1770478639|title=Another Prominent YouTuber Has Been Accused of Rape|website=Gizmodo|date=April 12, 2016|access-date=April 12, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2012/11/30/cutewinfail-fires-toby-turner/ |title=CuteWinFail Fires Toby Turner |author=Joshua Cohen |author2=Sam Gutelle |publisher=Tubefilter |date=November 30, 2012 |access-date=February 22, 2013 }}</ref> Turner and DeFranco also collaborated together on ''Like Totally Awesome'', produced by the YouTube channel LTA.<ref name="Menegus2016"/><ref>{{cite AV media|last=DeFranco|first=Philip|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTRHannXVBw|title=Exhausted DeFranco Answers Yo Questions :)|time=2:45|publisher=YouTube|work=The Vloggity|date=October 5, 2010|access-date=April 12, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Liz Shannon|url=https://gigaom.com/2010/01/13/philip-defranco-brings-together-aspiring-youtubers-for-like-totally-awesome/|title=Philip DeFranco Brings Together Aspiring YouTubers for ''Like Totally Awesome''|publisher=GigaOM|date=January 13, 2010|access-date=April 12, 2016|archive-date=April 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428050835/https://gigaom.com/2010/01/13/philip-defranco-brings-together-aspiring-youtubers-for-like-totally-awesome/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2010, Turner signed with the multi-channel network Machinima,<ref name="BI">{{cite web|title=One Of YouTube's Greatest Innovators Is Ready For His Next Challenge|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/toby-turner-youtube-star-2014-8?IR=T|website=Business Insider|access-date=20 January 2018}}</ref> before switching to Maker Studios in July 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cohen|first=Joshua|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/07/11/toby-turner-signs-maker-studios/|title=YouTube Network Maker Studios Signs Toby Turner And His 10.5+ Million Subscribers|publisher=Tubefilter|date=July 11, 2013 |access-date=November 23, 2013}}</ref>
Turner also worked as a host on ''Tagged'', a gaming-themed YouTube series produced by NODE Studios,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2012/07/16/freddie-wong-toby-turner-corridor-digital-collective-node-studios/ |title=Freddie Wong, Toby Turner, Corridor Digital Collab on New YouTube Channel for Collective |author=Samantha Berley |publisher=Tubefilter |date=July 16, 2012 |access-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/youtube-freddiew-NODE-gaming-channel/ |title=YouTube superstars team up for NODE gaming channel |author=Michelle Jaworski |date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=February 23, 2013 }}</ref> and played the Satan character in the Fine Brothers web series ''MyMusic''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/mymusic/images/30657315/title/tobuscus-satan-photo|title=Tobuscus as Satan|work=Fanpop}}</ref>
In 2023, Turner voiced the character Jerod in Doug TenNapel's web series, ''Burkle and Spay''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tiktok.com/@tobuscus/video/7239086835421465899|title=Tobuscus on TikTok: did a voice in a new series by the creator of Earthworm Jim!|website=TikTok|date=May 30, 2023}}</ref> In 2025, he voiced a character in Cinemint's web series, ''Fleur de Lis''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/TobyTurner/status/1930550160960180658|title=Toby Turner on X: "did a cameo in this fellas cartoon real quick"|website=Twitter|date=June 5, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/cinemint/status/1921030905990164769|title=Cinemint on X: "Right now is the best possible time to tell those who don't know that @TobyTurner has a cameo in Fleur de Lis: Season 2 Episode 3, and it's definitely one of my favorite parts"|website=Twitter|date=May 9, 2025}}</ref>
===Film and television=== Turner's first feature-length film role came in 2010 romantic comedy film ''New Low'', in which he played stand-up comedian Dave, the best friend of main character Wendell played by writer, producer and director Adam Bowers.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021|reason=Will need a more reliable source, not IMDb}} The film was premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2010, before it received coverage at the Austin Film Festival in October and at the Glasgow Film Festival the following February, and was later released on DVD in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Screengrab In Exile|url=https://screengrabx.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/austin-film-festival-day-6/|website=Wordpress|date=October 28, 2010|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sundance Film Festival Review: New Low|url=http://www.identitytheory.com/sundance-film-festival-review-new-low/|website=Identity Theory|date=February 2010|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New Low|url=https://film.list.co.uk/listing/218615-new-low/|website=The List|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref> Later, in 2012, he starred in psychological horror film ''Smiley'', written and directed by Michael Gallagher and starring fellow YouTube partner Shane Dawson.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://famousmonsters.com/synchronicity-entertainment-debuts-with-3-new-horror-films-on-slate/ |title=Synchronicity Entertainment Debuts with 3 New Horror Films on Slate |author=Andy Greene |publisher=Famous Monsters of Filmland |date=November 5, 2012 |access-date=February 19, 2013 |archive-date=April 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410191511/http://famousmonsters.com/synchronicity-entertainment-debuts-with-3-new-horror-films-on-slate/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Turner also starred alongside Dawson in the 2015 comedy ''Bob Thunder: Internet Assassin''<ref>{{cite web|title=Bob Thunder: Internet Assassin|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3874556/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1|website=IMDB|date = October 27, 2015|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref> and played a minor role in the 2015 film ''The Great Gilly Hopkins''.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Great Gilly Hopkins|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226766/|website=IMDB|access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref>
From 2012 to 2014, Turner starred in the Cartoon Network animated series ''The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange''. Turner played Nerville, the only human character who can interact with the fruits.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2012/04/22/annoying-orange-tv-series-toby-turner/ |title='The Annoying Orange' TV Series Fills Out Human Cast |author=Joshua Cohen |publisher=Tubefilter |date=April 22, 2012 |access-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/story/2012-06-25/annoying-orange-cartoon-network/55797260/1 |title='Annoying Orange' joke is on Cartoon Network |author=Bill Keveney |newspaper=USA Today |date=June 25, 2012 |access-date=February 20, 2013 }}</ref>
Turner landed a deal with YouTube Red in 2015, and began development on an original scripted comedy, "I Am Tobuscus", which satirized digital stardom.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/toby-turner-tobuscus-sexual-assault-allegations-1201750607/|title=YouTube Star Toby 'Tobuscus' Turner Responds to Sexual-Assault Allegations|website=Variety|date=April 11, 2016|last=Spangler|first=Todd|quote=Turner, who has more than 15 million subscribers across his YouTube channels, is affiliated with Disney's Maker Studios. Last year, he hosted Endemol Beyond USA's “Legends of Gaming” eSports competition show, and landed a deal with YouTube Red — Google's ad-free video and music subscription service — for an original scripted comedy, "I Am Tobuscus", satirizing digital stardom.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/youtube-red-launches-ad-free-svod-netflix-1201623219/|title=YouTube Red Unveiled: Ad-Free Streaming Service Priced Same as Netflix|website=Variety|date=October 21, 2015|last=Spangler|first=Todd}}</ref> Production was halted and the series cancelled in 2016 following sexual assault allegations made against Turner.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ellis |first1=Avery |title=YouTube Is Working on a Music Subscription Service No One Asked For |url=https://gizmodo.com/youtube-is-working-on-a-music-subscription-service-no-o-1821122900 |website=Gizmodo |access-date=25 February 2026 |date=December 8, 2017}}</ref>
Turner was set to star in 2016's ''The Angry Birds Movie'', voicing a character named Perry; his appearance, however, was cut from the release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acmodasi.in/amdb/movie/153518-the-angry-birds-movie-2016/actors|title=The Angry Birds Movie - actors, characters, and roles|website=Acmodasi|access-date=May 13, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moviebuff.com/the-angry-birds-movie#funstuff|title=The Angry Birds Movie|website=Moviebuff|access-date=May 13, 2026}}</ref>
==Other work== Aside from video production and other entertainment, Toby Turner – who is described on his official website as a "viral marketer ... [and] consultant for viral video and social media platforms"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tobyturner.com/about |title=About |publisher=Toby Turner |access-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref> – has worked with a number of major companies on advertising campaigns, including NBC, Disney, and others.<ref name="Kristina2011"/> Among his online commercial credits are adverts for Fox crime drama series ''Lie to Me'', footwear manufacturer and retailer Timberland, snack food product Pop-Tarts, and social network aggregation website Ouibox.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}}
Turner has also secured hosting roles for a number of events and series, including reporting on the Toshiba "Set Me Free Tour" for MTV in August 2009<ref>{{cite web |url=http://setmefreemtvn.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831232012/http://setmefreemtvn.com/ |archive-date=August 31, 2009 |title=Toshiba Laptops & MTVN Set Me Free! |publisher=MTV |access-date=February 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/mtv-event-attempts-to-rally-normal/article_a5c70f3c-8492-11de-9674-001cc4c002e0.html |title=MTV event attempts to rally Normal |author=Bridget Flynn |publisher=Pantagraph.com |date=August 8, 2009 |access-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref> and presenting holiday special web shows for Comedy Central, Spike and VH1.<ref name="Kristina2011"/> In December 2012, Turner was nominated for the award of Best Host at the 2013 Streamy Awards,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2012/12/17/3rd-annual-streamy-awards-nominees/ |title=The Nominees for the 3rd Annual Streamy Awards Are... |author=Sam Gutelle |publisher=Tubefilter |date=December 17, 2012 |access-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref> although eventually lost out to KassemG.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/02/18/streamy-awards-winners/ |title=Online Video's Brightest Stars Win Big at Streamy Awards |author=Sam Gutelle |publisher=Tubefilter |date=February 18, 2013 |access-date=February 19, 2013 }}</ref>
In May 2013, Turner set up a fundraising campaign on crowdfunding website Indiegogo for an iOS (and later Android) game based on his ''Tobuscus Adventures'' YouTube series, called ''Tobuscus Adventures: Wizards!''.<ref name="Indiegogo">{{cite web |url=http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-bring-tobuscus-adventures-the-game-to-pc |title=Help Bring Tobuscus Adventures: THE GAME to PC! |last=Turner |first=Toby |author-link=Toby Turner |publisher=Indiegogo |access-date=June 26, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/05/21/toby-turner-tobuscus-adventures-game-indiegogo/ |title=Toby Turner Seeks $240,000 on Indiegogo for 'Tobuscus Adventures' Game |last=Gutelle |first=Sam |publisher=Tubefilter |date=May 21, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2013 }}</ref> The fundraiser surpassed its goal of $240,000 within two days, reaching more than $644,000.<ref name="BI" /> The game features Turner as main character Tobuscus as he fights off hordes of zombies to get to the Wizard of Darkness,<ref name="Indiegogo"/><ref name="Wizards characters">{{cite magazine |url=http://newmediarockstars.com/2013/05/toby-turner-starts-indiegogo-campaign-for-a-tobuscus-video-game-video/ |title=Toby Turner Starts Indiegogo Campaign For A 'Tobuscus' Video Game |last=Klima |first=Jeff |magazine=New Media Rockstars |date=May 21, 2013 |access-date=June 26, 2013 }}</ref> and also cameos Gabe Hohreiter as Gabuscus, and Turner's dog Gryphon.<ref name="Wizards characters"/> The game was released in March 2015 for iOS and later for Android,<ref>{{cite web|title=TOBUSCUS GAME IS NOW AVAILABLE!|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSPkpFqRCW4|website=YouTube| date=March 19, 2015 |access-date=March 29, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tobuscus Adventures: Wizards|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/tobuscus-adventures-wizards/id916585802?mt=8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622220605/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/tobuscus-adventures-wizards/id916585802?mt=8|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 22, 2015|website=iTunes|access-date=June 22, 2015}}</ref> and in May 2018 for PC,<ref>{{cite web|title=TOBUSCUS ADVENTURES WIZARDS on PC|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddeiYOCGUlY&t=516s&app=desktop|website=YouTube| date=May 8, 2018 |access-date=9 May 2018}}</ref> with initial plans to extend it to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.<ref name="Heavy">{{cite web|last1=Fennimore|first1=Jack|title=Tobuscus Interview: How He Navigates YouTube's Landscape Today|url=https://heavy.com/games/2018/01/tobuscus-interview-youtube-demonetization-copyright-tobygames/|website=Heavy.com|date=January 10, 2018|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref> Before the release of ''Tobuscus Adventures: Wizards!'', Turner also revealed that a second, albeit smaller game, was in development at the same time and based on the popular sandbox game ''Minecraft'', titled "Mine The Diamond", which was later released in June 2015 for iOS.<ref>{{cite web|title=FREE iOS GAME!: MINE the DIAMOND|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgLwSQYp0VQ|website=YouTube| date=June 18, 2015 |access-date=June 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mine The Diamond|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mine-the-diamond/id956294274?mt=8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623001942/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mine-the-diamond/id956294274?mt=8|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 23, 2015|website=iTunes|access-date=June 22, 2015}}</ref>
In May 2014, Turner signed a three-book deal with Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, to help create an illustrated journal-style series based on ''Tobuscus Adventures''.<ref>{{cite web|title=YouTube Star Toby Turner Turns Web Series into Three-Book Deal|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/youtube-star-toby-turner-turns-703364|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 13, 2014|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref> The first, second, and third books were set to be released in the fall of 2015, summer of 2016, and winter 2017, respectively. However, none of these books were ever published, and in September 2025, Turner finally started work on the first ''Tobuscus Adventures'' book, titled "How to Stay Positive (during the Zombie Apocalypse)".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/TobyTurner/status/1972795855859241128|title=Toby Turner on X: "now i just need duct tape inc"|website=Twitter|date=September 29, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/TobyTurner/status/1972084116612083872|title=Toby Turner on X: "illustrator makes me want to pull my face off but starting to look like my handwriting"|website=Twitter|date=September 27, 2025}}</ref>
==Reception== Within the first few years of his three channels running concurrently, Turner was considered one of the most popular YouTube personalities, later recognised as a "mainstay",<ref name="Menegus2016"/> "pioneer",<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hamedy|first1=Saba|title=YouTube star Tobuscus accused of sexual assault, calls allegations 'false'|url=http://mashable.com/2016/04/11/toby-tobuscus-turner-sexual-assault-allegations/#T6CSiQqctgqr|website=Mashable|date=April 12, 2016|access-date=20 January 2018}}</ref> and "one of the site's greatest innovators."<ref name="BI" /> Turner has on occasion expressed how his channels have suffered from management issues on YouTube that ultimately restricts how many video views he receives. For example, in an interview with ''Heavy'' in 2018 and a video uploaded in 2019 titled ''Dear Algorithm'', he stated that content creators such as himself were occasionally not appearing in subscribers feeds and as a result the majority of his subscribers were not notified when he uploaded new content.<ref name="Heavy"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Dear Algorithm |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gY_v-T9kAM |website=YouTube| date=March 10, 2019 }}</ref> Turner has also attempted to reach out to YouTube directly, such as in 2017 tweeting to their administration that neither the subscribe button nor the more recently introduced bell icon, which immediately notified subscribers of new uploads, were working properly at the time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dear @YTCreators The Subscribe button & the Bell don't work. Are you going to fix them, or are you gonna try a different-shaped button next?|url=https://twitter.com/TobyTurner/status/873033859083886593|website=Twitter|access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref>
Harrison Jacobs of ''Business Insider'' in 2014 meanwhile wrote of how Turner had been pursuing various projects outside of YouTube. He found that while he still published frequently to his channels, he seemed particularly devoted to other work in the hope that it could direct him into more "traditional media", citing Turner's first book based on his web series ''Tobuscus Animated Adventures'', as well as his mobile game ''Tobuscus Adventures: Wizards!''. Jacobs noted how the development of the game had run over-budget, despite having received more than double the requested funds, and had been met with a number of delays, which Turner himself ascribed to a lack of experience.<ref name="BI" />
==Personal life== Having begun his video-making career in Niceville, Turner moved to Los Angeles in 2008.<ref name="Kristina2011">{{cite web|author=Kristina|url=http://blog.spreadshirt.net/us/2011/08/11/meet-toby-turner-a-youtube-sensation/|title=Meet Toby Turner: A YouTube Sensation|publisher=Spreadshirt|date=August 11, 2011 |access-date=February 21, 2013 }}</ref> Turner has speculated that he may have ADHD and some have similarly made this assumption due to his boisterous and sometimes inappropriate behavior.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Tobuscus Rape + Drugs Scandal: The Full Detailed Story|url=http://bakerbrothertv.com/2016/04/09/toby-turner-tobuscus-rape-drugs/|website=Baker Brother TV|date=April 9, 2016 |access-date=18 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=This is toottalllyyy how my brain works -|url=https://twitter.com/TobyTurner/status/716430249391579137|website=Twitter|access-date=18 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ADHD - Everything's better with HD.|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r5lj7HDoZY|website=YouTube| date=July 16, 2007 |access-date=18 January 2018}}</ref> In 2024, Turner identified his political views as "liberal and conservative".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/TobyTurner/status/1836403040016031849|title=Toby Turner on X|website=Twitter}}</ref>
===Sexual assault allegations=== On April 8, 2016, Turner's ex-girlfriend April Fletcher, known online as AprilEfff, made several allegations against Turner, including that he was addicted to drugs (including MDMA), that he had cheated on several of his former partners (including Fletcher), and that he drugged and raped her in February 2013.<ref name="nydailynews">{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/youtube-star-toby-tobuscus-turner-accused-alleged-rape-article-1.2596563 |title=YouTube star Toby 'Tobuscus' Turner accused of alleged of rape, denies claims |last=Settembre |first=Jeanette |newspaper=New York Daily News |date=April 11, 2016 |access-date=April 11, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="gameranx">{{cite news |url=http://gameranx.com/features/id/47815/article/popular-gaming-youtuber-tobuscus-accused-of-rape-drug-abuse/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160409023046/http://gameranx.com/features/id/47815/article/popular-gaming-youtuber-tobuscus-accused-of-rape-drug-abuse/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 9, 2016 |title=Popular Gaming YouTuber Tobuscus accused of Rape, Drug Abuse |last=Monroe |first=Nick |publisher=Gameranx |date=April 9, 2016 |access-date=April 9, 2016 }}</ref> Writing a blog post on Tumblr, Fletcher claimed that she had contemplated suicide following the episodes, and that Turner had likely committed the same acts against other women.<ref name="gameranx"/> YouTuber and ex-girlfriend of Turner, Amelia Talon, corroborated Fletcher's accounts shortly after, alleging that she had been drugged by Turner as well.<ref name="nydailynews"/> On April 9, 2016, Jaclyn Glenn, another of Turner's ex-girlfriends, posted a video on YouTube responding to the allegations. Glenn claimed that Turner had affairs in their relationship, and that while she thought the rape allegations were possible, she personally believed that they were untrue.<ref name="Toby Turner Rape Allegations">{{cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF2fsPshqwc |title=Toby Turner Rape Allegations |last=Glenn |first=Jaclyn |date=April 9, 2016 |access-date=April 9, 2016 }}</ref> Former Turner girlfriends Olga Kay and Melanie Murphy both denied that they were ever assaulted by Turner,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/OlgaKay/status/718924921536012288|title=I know you guys are waiting for me to say something. I was never drugged or raped or felt unsafe in any way. I am okay don't worry.|work=Twitter|date=April 9, 2016|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Murphy">{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/culture/irish-youtube-star-opens-up-about-miscarriage-20520017|title=Irish YouTube Star Opens Up About Miscarriage|work=The Hot Press|date=August 23, 2017|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref> though Murphy admitted Turner was not faithful to her.<ref name="Murphy"/> While not endorsing the rape allegations, both former Turner girlfriend Tara Babcock and former collaborator with Turner, Philip DeFranco, attested that Turner has a drug problem, is non-monogamous in his relationships and needs mental help.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXCHMr_yw1k|title=My (Different) Toby Turner Story - RE: Toby Turner Rape Allegations|date=April 11, 2016|access-date=August 26, 2019|work=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiP6gP4E6XI|title=YouTuber Toby Turner's Sexual Assault Scandal Broken Down|date=April 11, 2016|access-date=August 26, 2019|work=YouTube}}</ref>
Turner responded to the accusations on April 11, 2016, in a short video, in which he dubbed Fletcher's claims as "false" and claimed that he had "never done anything without her consent [and] never tried to trick her into anything".<ref name="nydailynews"/> On June 14, 2018, Turner released another video titled "#MeToo ...late?" where he claims he was advised not to say anything when the Tumblr post was published, then proceeds to give his accounts of what happened. In the video, Turner instead claimed that he and Fletcher had never been in a relationship, despite previously stating they had dated. Turner states that one night, he had simply let a friend (Fletcher) sleep over at his house, due to her insisting she was too afraid to return home that late at night. He also claimed that Fletcher wanted a romantic relationship with him, while he wanted only to remain friends. Turner also suggests Fletcher hinted at making a Tumblr post falsely accusing him of rape.<ref>{{cite web|title=#MeToo ...late?|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnQZr6xRRa8|website=YouTube| date=June 14, 2018 |access-date=18 June 2018}}</ref> On October 25, 2024, Turner claimed that he was almost murdered by a schizophrenic woman, who later "destroy[ed] [him] with the full force of the press",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/TobyTurner/status/1849977648673362402|title=Toby Turner on X: "yea i almost got murdered 10 years ago by a schizophrenic woman but we have bigger problems to deal with"|website=Twitter|date=October 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/TobyTurner/status/1849979318719349159|title=Toby Turner on X: "the usual, person tries to murder you, then you don't press charges cuz she's unwell and then they destroy you with the full force of the press"|website=Twitter|date=October 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/tobuscus/status/1849975596501127507?s=46|title=Tobuscus on X: "the mantra of being canceled for no reason after an insane person broke into your house and tried to cut your throat. there's no sound in silence."|website=Twitter|date=October 25, 2024}}</ref> with some commenters assuming he was referring to Fletcher. Turner also said dating since then has been "a big no thanks".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/TobyTurner/status/1849979529894285672|title=Toby Turner on X: "a big no thanks"|date=October 25, 2024}}</ref>
==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable" !colspan="4" style="background:LightSteelBlue;"|Film |- style="background:#b0c4de;" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |align="center"|2010 |''New Low'' |Dave |Lead role |- |align="center"|2012 |''Smiley'' |Mark |Supporting role |- |align="center" rowspan="2"|2015 |''The Great Gilly Hopkins'' |Ticket Agent |Supporting role |- |''Bob Thunder: Internet Assassin'' |Himself |Supporting role |- |align="center" rowspan="2"|2016 |''The Angry Birds Movie'' |Perry |Supporting role, cut from final film |- |''Why Him?'' |Party Guest |Supporting role |- |align="center"|2017 |''The F*** Happened'' |Reynolds |Supporting role |- !colspan="4" style="background:LightSteelBlue;"|Television |- style="background:#b0c4de;" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |align="center" rowspan="2"|2008 |rowspan="2"|''Stranger Things'' |Father Michael Hutchins |Pilot episode |- |Listen |One episode |- |align="center"|2012–2014 |''The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange'' |Nerville |Series regular |- |align="center"|2015 |''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' |Game host |Episode: "Intimidation Game" |- |align="center"|2016 |''American Dad!'' |Josh |Episode: "Portrait of Francine's Genitals" |- |- !colspan="4" style="background:LightSteelBlue;"|Web |- style="background:#b0c4de;" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |align="center"|2009 |''Russian Recommendations'' |Roman |Video shorts |- |align="center" rowspan="3"|2010 |''True Stories from My Crappy Childhood'' |Himself |Video short |- |''Annoying Orange'' |Cheese, Bread, Eggplant, Russel the Brussel Sprout, Tangerine, Oyster, and Spike the Durian. |Various episodes |- |''BlackBoxTV Presents'' |Keith |One episode |- |align="center" rowspan="3"|2012 |''Olga Kay Goes Haywire'' |Himself |Video short |- |''MyMusic'' |Satan |Series regular |- |''FART with Toby Turner – Retarded Policeman #34'' |Himself |Video short |- |align="center" rowspan="5"|2013 |''Dead Island: No Retreat'' |Sam |Video short |- |''Ear Troll (w/ Tobuscus)'' |Ear Troll |Video short |- |''Animeme Rap Battles'' |Courage Wolf (voice) |Music video |- |''Whistle While I Work It'' |Himself |Music video |- |''Animeme Rap Battles'' |Courage Wolf (voice) |Music video |- |align="center" rowspan="1"|2015 |''Terminator Genisys: The YouTube Chronicles'' |T-360 <!--WARNING! This is the official name of the Terminator model, a similar version of the T-1000, do not remove the name--> |Video short |- |align="center" rowspan="1"|2017 |''Hyperlinked'' |Almond Butter Guy |Web series |- |align="center" rowspan="1"|2023 |''Burkle and Spay'' |Jerod |Web series, two episodes |- |align="center" rowspan="1"|2025 |''Fleur de Lis'' |Firefighter |Web series, cameo |- |- !colspan="4" style="background:LightSteelBlue;"|Video games |- style="background:#b0c4de;" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- | align="center" rowspan="2"|2015 |''Tobuscus Adventures: Wizards''{{efn|Renamed to ''Wizards: Wand of Epicosity'' on Steam}} |Tobuscus (voice) |Also creator |- |''Mine The Diamond'' |Tobuscus (voice) |Also creator |}
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.tobyturner.com/}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Turner, Toby}} Category:1985 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American comedians Category:21st-century American male actors Category:American comedy musicians Category:American male bloggers Category:American male comedians Category:American male television actors Category:American male video game actors Category:American male voice actors Category:American male web series actors Category:Comedians from Florida Category:Comedians from Mississippi Category:American gaming YouTubers Category:Maker Studios channels Category:Minecraft YouTubers Category:Musicians from Florida Category:People from Niceville, Florida Category:People from Oktibbeha County, Mississippi Category:Annoying Orange Category:University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications alumni Category:American video bloggers Category:Video game commentators Category:Web series producers Category:YouTubers from Florida Category:YouTubers from Mississippi Category:YouTube channels launched in 2006 Category:Sexual harassment in the United States Category:Internet-related controversies Category:Male actors from Florida